Improvement in car-couplings



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY E. MARCHAND, OF ALLEGHNY CITY,PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPRGVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 146,924, dated J anuary27, 1874; application filed August 5, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY E. MARCHAND, of Allegheny City, in the countyof Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have in vented certain new anduseful Improvements in Car-Couplings, of which the following is aspecification This invention relates to certain improvements in theautomatic car-couplin g patentedA to me March 25, 1873, No. 137,225, inorder to render the same more effective in operation.

The invention consists in providing a gravitating tri gger-arm, employedfor retaining the coupling-pin in an elevated position, with a beak orprojection on its forward upper edge. Vhen the coupling-link is drawnforward, said beak or projection will be caused to enter a recess orengage a projection on the coupling-pin, thus locking the same inposition. The invention further consists of an arched and coveredrecess, arranged in the draw-head, behind the coupling-pin, forreceiving the upper end of the trigger-arm; the

object being to prevent the entrance of snow, dust, Src., and toproperly guide the trigger arm.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my car-coupling,representing the devices in position for coupling; Fig. 2, alongitudinal section of the drawhead, showing the internal arrangement.Fig. 3 is an enlarged detached view of the coupling-pin; Fig. 4, adetail view of the trigger-arm or pinsupport; Fig. 5, a view of thecoupling-link.

The draw-head A is of any preferred construction. 'Ihe couplingpin B,which slides vertically through the draw head, passes through an openingin the top of the latter, and is provided with ribs on its sides, whichenter guide-grooves in the side wall of the draw-head. The lower end ofthe couplingpin is enlarged laterally, and has a portion of its rearsurface cut away to form a shoulder, C, for the purpose hereinafterstated. An opening, D, in the door of the dlawliead, is made to enablethe pin to be inserted through the same; a suitable ring or link beingthen applied to the upper end, for limiting the descent of the pin. Avibrating or gravitating trigger-arm, E, is arranged within thedrawhead, and has its lower end inserted. or stepped into a seat, F, inthe iioor ofy the draw-head, immediately inrear of the coupling-pin. Thelower end of said trigger-arm is made of a curved shape, to permit it tooscillate in its seat, and it is further provided with a straight rearside, E', which limits its backward movement. The upper end of thetrigger-arm is provided with a beak or projection,` H, which, when thecoupling-pin is elevated, will, by its inherent gravity, be caused toengage with lger-arm E, as in Fig. 2, which causes the projection orbeak H to enter a recess, M, in the rear side of the coupling-pin, thusfirmly locking the same down and preventing its acci` dentalmisplacement.

An arched and covered recess, Gr,in the top of the draw-head, serves toreceive and guide the upper end of the trigger-arm E.

A decided advantage possessed by this covered arched recess over theopen slot shown in my former patent is the exclusion of rain, snow,dust, &c.

A ring or suitable catch, N, located in proper respect to the pin B, isemployed for supporting the same in an elevated position, when it isdesired to eut a train ornot to make a coupling.

I claim as my inventionl. In a car-coupling, a vibrating triggerarm, E,provided with a projection or beak, H, for engaging with thecoupling-pin B, in order to lock the same down, as and for the purposedescribed.

2. The coupling-pin, notched or recessed, as

shown, and arranged in respect to the vibrat.

ing pilrsupport, provided with a projection or beak, a-s set forth.

3. The draw-head, provided with a covered arched recess in its top,arranged,in respect to the vibrating pin-support E, as shown anddescribed, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this14th day of July, 187

IIENRY E. MARCHAND.

Witnesses:

SAME. McMAsTERs, .ToHN N. GRAHAM.

